Dealing with doubt

Doubt dealt with by holding on to God’s truth

Gaining assurance from God’s word

Ps 119:147; 1 Jn 5:13

See also Ps 119:116; Jn 20:31; Ro 15:4; 2 Pe 1:19

Receiving correction and understanding through God’s word

2 Timothy 3:14–17 KJV 1900

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

See also Ps 119:130; Pr 6:23; 1 Co 10:11

Avoiding idle speculation

Eph 4:14; 1 Ti 6:20–21; 2 Ti 2:16; 2 Ti 2:23; Tt 3:9

Doubt dealt with by meditating on God’s works

Remembering God’s past deeds

Psalm 77:10–20 KJV 1900

10 And I said, This is my infirmity: But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the Lord: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: Who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: The depths also were troubled. 17 The clouds poured out water: The skies sent out a sound: Thine arrows also went abroad. 18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: The lightnings lightened the world: The earth trembled and shook. 19 Thy way is in the sea, And thy path in the great waters, And thy footsteps are not known. 20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

See also Dt 7:17–19; 1 Ch 16:8–12; Ps 22:4–5; Ps 74:12–17; Ps 143:5; Is 46:9; Mt 16:9–10

Commemorating God’s deeds

Ex 12:14 Religious festivals such as Passover provided a permanent reminder of God’s past goodness to his people.

See also Dt 16:1; Lk 22:19; 1 Co 11:24–25

Reflecting on divine power

Mt 11:4–6; Jn 10:38; Jn 14:11

Doubt dealt with by trusting

Trusting in God’s unfailing love

Psalm 6:2–4 KJV 1900

2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: But thou, O Lord, how long? 4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: Oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.

See also Ps 42:8; Is 49:15–16; Is 54:10; Je 31:3–4

Trusting in God’s presence

Genesis 28:15 KJV 1900

15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

See also Ex 3:12; Dt 20:1; 2 Ch 20:15–17; Ps 42:11; Ps 73:23–26

Trusting in God’s strength

Isaiah 41:10 KJV 1900

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

See also 1 Ki 19:6–8; Is 40:28–31; Is 43:2

Remembering God’s concern for the weak

God’s compassion for the weak

Ezekiel 34:16 KJV 1900

16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

See also Is 42:3

God’s grace to those with doubts

Ex 5:22–6:1 God responds to Moses’ uncertainty by promising a demonstration of his power.

See also Nu 11:21–23; Jdg 6:39–40; Jn 20:27

Pastoral concern for those who doubt

Being patient with doubters

Jude 22 KJV 1900

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

See also Ro 14:1–4; Ro 14:15–17; Ro 15:1

Encouraging those with doubts

Jdg 20:22; Job 4:3–4

See also 2 Ch 32:6–8; Is 35:3–4; Is 40:1; 1 Th 3:2; Heb 10:23–25; Heb 12:12